National Stamp Collecting Month

National Stamp Collecting Month is an October celebration dedicated to one of the most popular hobbies in the world, where stamps are passed down from generation to generation, and rare specimens are sought after, carefully inserted into special albums. With over 5 million philatelists in America alone, it’s no wonder this holiday has been celebrated since its founding in 1981 by the Council of Philatelic Organizations and the United States Postal Service. Each year, interesting stamps are created to stimulate interest in the hobby, and many organizations develop special programs throughout the year to ensure it continues to grow.

History

The first mention of stamps dates back to 1837, when they were invented to pay for postage. Since then, people have been collecting them, and stamps underwent a transformation in order to be brighter and more colorful. Today, there are some amazing developments going on in the world of philately.

Interesting facts

• To create glue for stamps, a mixture of gum with dextrin and glucose was used. 400 thousand copies took 16 kg of the substance.
• In most countries of the world, the main number of stamps is issued for collectors.
• At the beginning of the 20th century in the United States, meteorological information was placed on the stamp, and the recipient found out about changing weather conditions in the letter.

How to take part

If you are a philatelist, it’s time to acquire a significant stamp and solemnly place it in an album. Hobby watchers can create their own collection by getting all the necessary supplies to start the hobby. Exchange with like-minded people, visit auctions, and share your finds with friends on social networks using the #StampCollectingMonth hashtag.

When is National Stamp Collecting Month in 2023?

National Stamp Collecting Month is observed on October 1 each year.

Observations